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October, 2000

Last month I had the chance to do my first real
travel for Friends World Committee (not that the Triennial wasn't real; it
was, but it was essentially in my own back yard and had the feel of inviting
people in, not venturing forth.) One of the things I looked most forward to
when I accepted the job here was the opportunity to meet and know Friends from
across the spectrum of our Society as well as our society. The first chance
came in September when I traveled to the Midwest to attend the Midwest
Regional Gathering of FWCC and to meet Friends in the eastern area of Indiana.

If there is a center of Quakerism in the country its not in New England,
and its certainly not in Philadelphia. (Please don't let word that I'VE state
this in a public way out or I'LL be run out of town on a rail!) Its in
Indiana. Along the Indiana-Ohio border there are, within a few miles of each
other four major groups of Friends: Evangelical, Conservative, FUM types and
FGC adherents. On the 40 mile drive between Richmond and Muncie I counted
eight Friends Churches or Meetings in the villages - some of them boarded up
and looking as deserted as the hamlet they once served. Friends history in
this part of the world is deep, if largely unrecognized. Friends presence in
the area remains significant, if a bit blurred by other variables.

And eastern Friend that I be, I was prepared for the variety of experiences
within Friends. I wasn't surprised driving up Cherry Street in Muncie, Indiana
to see the Friends Church. Looking to all outward appearances like a first
cousin of the Episcopalian church on the square in Barre, with stained glass
windows and something that looked suspiciously like a bell tower (although I
later learned there was no bell). I thought to myself when I pulled into the
parking lot that this building, so very different than our meetinghouse, would
serve to underline the differences among Friends that I would encounter on
this trip.

But, you know, it wasn't all that different. The building was different.
There was a pastor and that was different. But, he was certainly no more
hireling ministry than I was working as I am for a Quaker organization. And
with his dry self-deprecating sense of humor and his gentle, thoughtful manner
it was easy to see why a meeting would ask him to represent them. And what an
honest and loving community it was. Friends were sincere and straight forward
(different than some of the meetings in the east where I'VE worshiped as a
stranger and no one has spoken to me after worship.) I was informally adopted
by a retired farmer, a kind, upstanding man, whose love of God and his wife
defined his being and whose comfort and involvement with his meeting
punctuated his daily life. But being taken under the wing in no way excluded
others warm discussion and obvious interest.

In the afternoon, I was able to spend some time alone, sitting in the
large, comfortable gathering room. The earth toned stained glass windows
created a mute lighting. It was a comfortable place, a place that resonated
with God's ever opening truths. It was so different than our kitchen/gathering
room. It was so much the same.

Approximately 45 people attend The Midwest regional Gathering of FWCC.
After registration, and social time we centered into a brief period of
worship. Brent Bill, the pastor I mentioned, spoke briefly of the history of
Muncie's Friends Church. John Punshon shared his sense that there have been
fortunate side effects to the separations of the 19th century in America;
there are positive aspects of each of the traditions among Friends that aren't
evident in other places, Britain Yearly Meeting for example . I also spent
Sunday with Muncie Friends: early morning unprogrammed worship, a kickoff
pancake breakfast, the first Sunday School (yes Sunday School, not First Day
School) classes of the year, and worship. I spoke to one of the adult Sunday
School classes resulting in a lively discussion, with some excellent questions
(for example, exactly what would be the similarities between me and a Quaker
in Indonesia?) both during and after the presentation. Worship was
semi-programmed.

My impression of Friends Memorial Church in Muncie was one of a warm,
active faith community of Friends use to working together, use to leaning on
each other and open to sharing not only genuine hospitality but deep
fellowship with outsiders like myself. At the opening service for the year's
Sunday school classes, there was lively singing of both children's songs and
hymns. I left with an inspiring sense of community and a celebration of a
faith that sometimes is not always evident in Friends' groups.

In my door to door travels over the next few days, I met Friends who gave
me their perspective and talked about their faith in direct and candid
fashion. One began the discussion by telling me in no uncertain term that the
place where the liberal tradition of Friends is in error is that they take
George Fox's concept of "that of God in everyone" as the central thesis of
Quakerism. The central thesis is, in fact that "there is even one, even Christ
Jesus who can speak to thy condition." Another told me Friends are at a
turning point, a place in our history and development where we can enhance our
spirituality, where if we let go of ourselves, God will both lead and nurture
us. Two very different challenges, but statements of faith and direction that
touch on our vitality.

I returned with a sense of our Religious Society's strength. We have our
share of struggle with each other, and some areas of deep dissension-places
where we may never become one. We also have a vigor and a potency that draws
us together, an understanding of faith, although we express it differently
that breathes life and beauty into each day. "If we walk in the light, as he
is in the light, we have fellowship one with another." (1 John 1:7)